Those who remember Harry's Tavern in the Allison Hill section of Harrisburg recall owners Harry and Mary Touloumes' hospitality, the eclectic clientele and wine-marinated steaks.

The neighborhood bar operated for 44 years at 1364 Vernon St. It attracted a politico crowd who would sit elbow-to-elbow with steelworkers, railroaders, lawyers and laborers. Even governors were known to patronize Harry's Tavern.

Harry marinated all of our tenderloins. He would trim them and cut them. We had small, medium and large. They were all broiled with wine sauce. We sold a lot of them, she said.

The cheese o'fries were seasoned french fries with cheese on top melted under a broiler with hot sauce. Subs were built on Italian rolls toasted with olive oil and garlic and topped with capicola and provolone. Hot peppers and anchovies were optional.

By 1993 when Harry's closed, the neighborhood had changed. The tavern had been robbed at least once. At the time, Harry Touloumes told The Patriot-News, We don't have the business no more.

The story went on to describe the neighborhood has having collapsed around the tavern with boarded-up homes just blocks away from Harry's. Patrons gathered for one last hurrah.

"It's a sad night," said regular Chuck Ryan in the story. "There was no place like it."